American veterans across generations shared a common goal of valiantly protecting the country's freedoms and remain symbols of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom wherever democracy exists. World War I veterans entered the Great War amid public cheers and faced the grim reality of twentieth century warfare with poison gas, machine guns, tanks, aircraft, and submarines, fighting in trenches, on the sea, and in the air. World War II veterans fought for the freedom of America and the free world in the Pacific and European theaters, enduring brutal enemies on the beaches of Normandy, in the deserts of North Africa, and on the islands of the South Pacific, embodying the sentiment that uncommon valor was a common virtue. Korean War veterans fought for freedom, justice, and peace in places such as Heartbreak Ridge and Inchon, enduring harsh winters, summer heat, and times when they were greatly outnumbered. Vietnam veterans went to war young, lost youthful dreams and sometimes their lives for freedom and honor, returned with the horrors of war, and were denied the respect and honor they deserved from the public and the United States government. Persian Gulf War veterans were called to carry out a just cause with determination and speed in Desert Storm.